Staff Reports
In a twist that could only be concocted in the fever dreams of a lawless political opera, the possibility of Joe Biden issuing preemptive pardons to shield a cadre of Democratic figures from the wrath of a newly minted Donald Trump presidency is circling the rumor mill. Prominent Democrats like Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts and Congressman Brendan Boyle from Pennsylvania are raising the alarm, clamoring for Biden to provide blanket immunity to anyone Trump might dare to investigate, presumably because real investigations into real malfeasance might prove inconvenient for their side. One can practically hear the collective gnashing of teeth from the left as they scramble to erase their tracks.
This preemptive plan takes the cake for sheer audacity. If Biden were to hand out pardons like candy, it would offer a neat little escape hatch for lawmakers, bureaucrats, and every other partisan player who might’ve crossed the line over the years. Markey and Boyle seem to suggest that if one were to be accused of any wrongdoing—real or imagined—then a swift brush with a pardon pen could lock in immunity before the accusations even air. This would not only set an unprecedented precedent of “guilty until pardoned,” but would also allow these political players to swagger around, safe in the knowledge that their actions will never see the inside of a courtroom.
The irony is rich for anyone paying attention. By pushing for these pardons, these progressive leaders are essentially admitting that they recognize the potential for their own misdeeds to come to light. It’s akin to a group of kids whispering to the teacher, pleading for a “no-hitting” rule—moments before they plan their next bit of mischief. Surely, the whole affair raises questions about accountability—an essential cornerstone of any functioning democracy—and yet, here they are, fashioning policies that aim to obscure the truth.
Consider Alejandro Mayorkas, a key player in the border crisis. He has assured Congress time and again that the border is secure, and yet, reality tells a different story. The Administration’s leniency towards unprecedented immigration could easily be argued as a violation of constitutional duties. However, waiving the possibility of punishment through light-hearted preemptive pardons would allow him—nay, encourage him—to persist in these actions with impunity. It’s not hard to envision how this could embolden similar behavior in other policy areas, all while stripping away what’s left of lawful order in the country.
The Trouble With Tribbles and…Preemptive Pardonshttps://t.co/bLaFV6KPLV
— RedState (@RedState) December 5, 2024
The long-term ramifications of such a move extend far beyond just protecting the usual suspects. If Biden and his merry band of Democrats establish this precedent, imagine the future where any sitting president could unilaterally pardon a cadre of their choice, effectively putting them above the law. Whether it’s Trump or a future leader from either party, this kind of immunity could very well become a bargaining chip in political gamesmanship—wherein whoever occupies the Oval Office could simply wipe the slate clean for their allies, enabling a veritable free-for-all of executive overreach.
In the end, the very fabric of accountability could unravel. Rather than addressing issues of governance and legality, incumbents might instead settle into a cozy partnership with impunity, with nobody left to answer for their actions. As questions linger over the policies and decisions made by figures like Mayorkas, the need for transparency and justice only grows stronger. But with preemptive pardons in play, the opportunity for scrutiny and dialogue gets kicked to the curb. The stakes are high, for these measures not only inspire distrust among the electorate but also set a dangerous precedent for the future of executive power in America.
